Chapter 1352

No.1

"True Love jewelry shopping—announced the same day. I'm not stupid, Alexander."

Her voice trembled. "For my mother who jumped from Autumn Detail for your sake—let me go."

The photos scattered like falling snow.

The topmost image showed that damning rooftop embrace seven years ago.

Why did it have to be Autumn Detail?

Her deepest wound.

Alexander suddenly gripped her chin with brutal force, spots dancing across her vision.

No.2

"You've been carrying on with Julian," he sneered. "Why shouldn't I have Isabella?"

Tears of pain welled up, yet Evelyn smiled. "I'm content. Truly content with our breakup."

No more explanations.

These days without him were the first time she'd felt human.

"My relationship with Isabella changes nothing." His thumb traced her throat. "You'll always belong to me."

He straddled her, radiating danger. "Time you remembered who owns you."

CRASH—

No.3

The cabinet door shuddered violently, the screwdriver teetering.

"Alexander Kingsley!" Julian's enraged roar echoed through the wood. "You goddamn animal!"

His first-ever curse.

Years of restraint shattered seeing her treated this way.

Alexander released Evelyn, striding toward the cabinet with chilling calm.

He produced electrical tape, sealing the door shut with methodical precision.

Then pressed his shoulder against it, inching the entire unit toward the open window.

No.4

"ALEXANDER!" Evelyn's scream tore from her throat.

She flung herself at him, nails digging into his arms as fifth-floor wind howled like a yawning abyss.

"You're insane! Stop!" She pulled with desperate strength, drawing blood through his sleeves.

Alexander kicked Evelyn away.

She crumpled to the floor like a fallen leaf.

With a violent shove, Alexander sent the wardrobe screeching across the floor.

"Alexander!" Ignoring the searing pain in her knees, Evelyn lunged forward and clung to his leg. "Alex... It's all my fault..."

No.5

She couldn't take the risk.

Julian's life was the heaviest debt she'd ever carry.

"I'll do anything..." Her voice shattered. "I'll die if you want... Just spare Julian."

"Evelyn!" Julian barked. "Don't beg him!"

When she'd applied to Horizon Media, he'd given her the offer.

It was all he could give.

A job. A fragile door left ajar.

No.6

He'd watched her emerge from her walking corpse state, slowly regaining color.

He'd rather die than see her enslaved again.

Alexander suddenly stilled.

He crouched, tracing the tears on her cheeks with icy fingers.

"First time I've seen you cry," his voice dripped frost. "For another man."

He yanked her hair back.

"You kneel for him. You plead for him..." Scarlet rage burned in Alexander's eyes. "Now you weep for him?"

No.7

Evelyn trembled violently.

She'd never seen this feral version of Alexander.

"I'll push him over," he whispered against her ear. "Watch him splatter on the pavement... Evelyn, tonight we become murderers together."

He hurled her to the ground.

"No!" Scrambling up, Evelyn threw herself before the window.

Her arms spread wide, hair wild.